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Rep. John Lewis: civil rights icon, socialist

Congressional Democrats and Republicans have come out in defense of their colleague, John Lewis (D-GA), following remarks made by President-elect Donald Trump on Twitter. While they praised his history of working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the civil rights movement, there was no mention of Lewis’ role in the Socialist movement. In an interview with NBC that aired this weekend, Lewis said of Trump: "I don't see this President-elect as a legitimate president." Lewis told show host Chuck Todd: "I think the Russians participated in helping this man get elected. And they helped destroy the candidacy of Hillary Clinton."

In response, Trump wrote “Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results. All talk, talk, talk - no action or results. Sad!” On january 15, Trump called on Lewis for help as Trump advances toward Inauguration Day.

Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to......

In addition to his record of fighting for civil rights, Lewis also has a history of involvement in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) as a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. The Democratic Socialists of America played a key role in the 1991 founding of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), which is the largest membership organization within the Democratic Caucus of Congress. The DSA is the largest socialist organization in America, and is the main affiliate of Socialist International, the worldwide organization of social democratic, socialist and labor parties, in the United States.

In 2015, the CPC was co-chaired by Reps. Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Keith Ellison (D-MN). , D-Minn. The CPC was founded six members of Congress, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Ron Dellums (D-CA).

In 2011, eleven Democratic Socialist party members were members of the Judiciary Committee, including veteran John Conyers of Michigan, who was committee chairman then. Other socialists on the committee were: Tammy Baldwin, Jerrold Nadler, Luis Gutierrez, Melvin Watt, Maxine Waters, Hank Johnson, Steve Cohen, Barbara Lee, Robert Wexler, and Linda Sanchez. Several of the above are also members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Here are the names of the 70 Members of Congress who were in the Democratic Socialist Party in 2011. Almost all were in the House of Representatives; among them was John Lewis. The sole socialist in the Senate was (and is) Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT):